Pa. storm victims to pay rent for FEMA trailers

WILKES-BARRE(AP) — Dozens of Pennsylvania victims of Tropical Storm Lee will no longer be able to stay for free in temporary housing provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Times Leader of Wilkes-Barre reports (http://bit.ly/X094RR ) that 246 of about 300 temporary housing recipients have moved out of the trailers. Beginning April 1, those who remain will have the option of renting their homes for up to six months.

Tropical Storm Lee devastated unprotected communities up and down the Susquehanna River in September of 2011.

By law, disaster victims are eligible to receive temporary housing assistance for 18 months from the date a presidential disaster declaration is issued. FEMA extended the eligibility period until September but says storm victims will no longer be able to stay rent free. ——— Information from: Times Leader, http://www.timesleader.com